Minnesota Golden Gophers Football

N/A

Tag Type
Slug
minnesota-golden-gophers-football
Short Name
Minnesota
Abbreviation
MINN
Sport ID / Foreign ID
CFB_MIN
Visible in Content Tool
On
Visible in Programming Tool
On
Auto create Channel for this Tag
On
Primary Parent
Primary Color
#872435
Secondary Color
#fcbb3d
Channel State
Eyebrow Text
Football

Justin Walley NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Minnesota CB

Jan 22, 2025
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 23: Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Justin Walley (5) looks on during the college football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on November 23rd, 2024, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 23: Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Justin Walley (5) looks on during the college football game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on November 23rd, 2024, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

HEIGHT: 5'10"

WEIGHT: 190

HAND: 10"

ARM: 30¾”

WINGSPAN: 74⅞”


40-YARD DASH: 4.40

3-CONE: 7.01

SHUTTLE: 4.36

VERTICAL: 32"

BROAD: 10'0"


POSITIVES

— Sticky defender in the short and intermediate pass game. Plays with very good leverage and footwork. Displays great short area quickness, does a very good job of sinking hips and breaking on a dime. As well as showing a burst out of breaks.

— Very good ball skills. Calm with the ball in the air and does a good job of locating and playing through the receivers to the quarterback. Shows good timing when playing the receivers hands.

Ad Placeholder

— Aggressive against the run. Flies upfield to close ground on the ball-carrier and throws his body around.


NEGATIVES

— Top end speed can taper off downfield. Lacks the ideal recovery speed to quickly get back in phase when out of position.

— Inconsistent tackling in the open field. Takes below average angles and dives for the ball-carrier's legs. Does not consistently wrap up and when does, has shown to melt off of tackles.


2024 STATISTICS

— 10 Games, 42 Tackles, 2 TFL, 1 Sack, 2 INT, 1 PBU


NOTES

— Born Sept. 22, 2002

— Games Started: 42

Ad Placeholder

— 3 Star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: 2nd Team All-Big Ten

— 2023: Honorable Mention All-Big Ten

— Shrine Bowl Invite


OVERALL

Ad Placeholder

Justin Walley is a competitive and aggressive cornerback from Minnesota, whose game is defined by his tenacity and ability to stick with receivers in the short and intermediate areas of the field. Standing at 5'11" and weighing 195 pounds, Walley possesses a sturdy frame and quick footwork that make him a reliable option in both man and zone coverage. His physical play style and ball skills make him an intriguing prospect for teams looking for depth in the secondary.

Ad Placeholder

Walley thrives in the short and intermediate passing game, where his sticky coverage and leverage stand out. His footwork and transitions are polished, and he displays loose hips to swivel and match receivers in their routes. Walley's burst out of breaks allows him to close quickly on the ball, and he has developed crafty techniques, such as subtle hand usage, to maintain positioning. His ball skills are a significant strength; Walley tracks the ball well in the air, plays through the receiver's hands, and often disrupts passes with excellent timing. However, his lack of top-end speed can be a concern when facing faster receivers downfield, as he struggles to recover if out of position.

Walley is an aggressive run defender willing to support the defense at the line of scrimmage. He flies downhill with urgency and does well to close space quickly on ball carriers. His physicality is apparent when he throws his body into tackles, though he can be inconsistent in the open field. Poor angles and a tendency to dive at legs occasionally lead to missed tackles. Despite these shortcomings, Walley's effort and high motor in run support undeniably provide valuable energy and tenacity.

Justin Walley is a developmental cornerback who can provide immediate value as a backup and potential rotational player in nickel and dime packages. His ability to excel in short-area coverage, paired with his aggressive run support, makes him a candidate for teams that value competitive secondary players with versatility. While his lack of top-end speed and inconsistent tackling may limit his role early in his career, Walley's instincts and technique provide a strong foundation for growth.


GRADE: 6.3 (High-Level Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 174

POSITION RANK: CB21

PRO COMPARISON: Taron Johnson


Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings


Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

Aireontae Ersery NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Minnesota OT

Oct 9, 2024
COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 18: offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery #69 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers lines up along the line scrimmage during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 18: offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery #69 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers lines up along the line scrimmage during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

HEIGHT: 6'6"

WEIGHT: 331

HAND: 9½"

ARM: 33⅛"

WINGSPAN: 80⅞"

40-YARD DASH: 5.01

3-CONE: 7.81

SHUTTLE: 4.82

VERTICAL: 29.5"

BROAD: 9'3"


POSITIVES

— Does a nice job in his angled, 45-degree set working vertically and expanding his set points against high-side rushes.

— Has good arm length with a stiff, powerful punch to stun and keep rushers at his fingertips.

— Carries a low, active inside hand to 'catch' and close off inside counters.

— Clear eyes and good spatial awareness to handle basic line games and stunts.

— Shows solid athletic ability and burst to pull, lead and line up backers on the move.

Ad Placeholder

— Proficient zone run blocker with a firm understanding of the play's intent to work combos with proper timing, feel and pace.


NEGATIVES

— Tardy strike timing leaves him vulnerable to getting edged quickly against swipes and chops and caught off guard against speed to power.

— Susceptible to take the bait and get set up against stutters and hesitations, creating a soft outside shoulder and short corner.

— Has a tendency of two-hand striking, dropping his eyes and lunging into contact on angle-drive blocks that can get him beat across his face.

Ad Placeholder

— Upright playing style saps some of his leverage and ability to sustain power late in the rep.


NOTES

— 3-star recruit from the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— Competed in track and field team in shot put, discus and javelin

— 2023: AP First-Team All-Big Ten

— 2024: AP Third-Team All-American and Big Ten Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year

— 39 career starts at left (38) and right (one) tackle

— Participated in the 2025 Senior Bowl


OVERALL

Ad Placeholder

Aireronte Ersery is a three-year starter at left tackle inside Minnesota's balanced, zone-based run scheme. Ersery has a well-rounded, lean build with long limbs, good play strength and solid athletic ability.

Ersery is a well-versed zone run blocker with good pace and feel on combo blocks to get into proper fits, overtake and release on time. He shows solid athletic ability to gain ground laterally to cut off the backside, line up backers on climbs and pulls around the edge. Ersery shows good competitive toughness and physicality as a finisher to strain and set the tone. He will get over-aggressive, two-hand strike and overextend on kick-out blocks that stutters and slants across his face can slip by with ease.

In pass protection Ersery has good footwork in his sets to work at a 45-degree angle, get vertical and expand his set points against upfield, high-side rushes and power step with an effective 'catch' hand to close the door on inside counters. Ersery quickly sorts basic line games and stunts with proper spacing and timing. He also flashes the snatch-trap technique to defeat the long-arm and circle punch technique to work around swipes/chops to the outside. While Ersery can defeat outside swipes/cross-chops, he can be late with his strike and is susceptible to being set up and baited by tempo, stutters and hesitations that creates a short corner.

Overall, Ersery is a long, tactful blocker with good play strength, competitive toughness, and enough athletic ability to stick at tackle in the NFL. However, his upright playing style and average recovery skills likely cap his ceiling as a middle-of-the-pack starter.


GRADE: 7.5 (Potential Impact Player — 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 50

POSITION RANK: OT4

PRO COMPARISON: Bobby Massie


Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn


Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

Baby Gronk Flips Commitment to Minnesota After South Carolina, Pitt Pledges

Jun 7, 2024
MOBILE, AL - FEBRUARY 01: A general view of a Minnesota Golden Gophers helmet during the National team practice for the Reese's Senior Bowl on February 1, 2024 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.  (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - FEBRUARY 01: A general view of a Minnesota Golden Gophers helmet during the National team practice for the Reese's Senior Bowl on February 1, 2024 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Baby Gronk continued to switch his collegiate allegiance Friday.

The social media sensation announced that he had flipped his commitment to the Minnesota Golden Gophers. This comes just a day after allegedly making commitments to both Pitt and South Carolina.

Baby Gronk's commitments have not been solely to the Golden Gophers, Panthers and Gamecocks. He has also pledged allegiance to programs like Alabama, USC and Texas.

These commitments are far from official, as the schools are not able to officially offer a prospect until their junior year of high school. Considering the fact the Baby Gronk is 11 years old and has not even entered high school yet, these claims are surely meant for social media attention.

The account used to promote the 11-year-old, whose real name is Madden San Miguel, is notably run by his father, Jake. The elder San Miguel has stated that the efforts to market his son are "planned" and that it is being done to improve his career as a "creator" and "influencer."

While the legitimacy of these commitments could be questioned, the 11-year-old's social footprint has definitely benefitted as he has accumulated 323,000 subscribers on YouTube and 521,000 followers on Instagram.

Brevyn Spann-Ford NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Minnesota TE

Apr 21, 2024
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 09: Brevyn Spann-Ford #88 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers competes against the Eastern Michigan Eagles in the first half at Huntington Bank Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Eagles 25-6. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 09: Brevyn Spann-Ford #88 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers competes against the Eastern Michigan Eagles in the first half at Huntington Bank Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Eagles 25-6. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

HEIGHT: 6'6½"

WEIGHT: 260

HAND: 10¼"

ARM: 33⅜"

WINGSPAN: 80"


40-YARD DASH: 4.77

3-CONE: 7.38

SHUTTLE: 4.51

VERTICAL: 31.5"

BROAD: 9'8"


POSITIVES

— Great strength and effort as a blocker, especially in-line. Commands the point of attack.

— Better long speed than his size suggests.

— Above-average ability to work the middle of the field and makes catches in traffic.


NEGATIVES

— Poor short-area movement skills. Too often struggles to reach landmarks on blocks.

— Lacks the quickness or explosiveness to be a snappy route-runner. Struggles to uncover from defenders.

— Very little juice as a YAC threat. More of a stationary target type.


2023 STATISTICS

— 12 G, 25 REC, 239 YDS (9.6 AVG), 2 TD


NOTES

— Born Dec. 27, 1999

— 3-star recruit in 2018 class, per 247Sports

— 29 career starts

— Attended 2024 Senior Bowl


OVERALL

Brevyn Spann-Ford is a de facto sixth offensive lineman with functional receiving ability in the underneath area.

Spann-Ford is a hulking mass of man at 6'6½" and 260 pounds. As expected of that body type, Spann-Ford is a serious blocker at the point of attack. He plays with overwhelming strength for a tight end and supports that strength with high energy. He doesn't shy away from burying defensive ends or working viciously on double-teams.

At the same time, Spann-Ford struggles on movement blocks and blocks out in space. He is not a nimble mover, and he struggles to adjust aiming points.

Receiving-wise, Spann-Ford is mostly a security blanket. His frame gives him a natural advantage over many safeties and linebackers in terms of his ability to shield the ball and haul it in. Spann-Ford also shows decent concentration and hands in traffic.

Spann-Ford is not dynamic at all as a receiver, though. He runs well in a straight line for his size, but he still isn't fast. Spann-Ford also lacks the change-of-direction skills or explosiveness to uncover himself from defenders, especially in man coverage. He offers very little creation ability with the ball in his hands as well.

Spann-Ford is a viable TE3 with short-yardage and red-zone-blocking capabilities. The ceiling on his game is severely limited by his athletic profile, but there is a clear role for his skill set in the NFL. Teams that want to assert themselves in the ground game, especially from under center, will be the best landing spots for Spann-Ford.


GRADE: 5.7 (Backup/Draftable — 6th/7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 215

POSITION RANK: TE12

PRO COMPARISON: Levine Toilolo


Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.

Tyler Nubin NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Minnesota S

Dec 27, 2023
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 25: Tyler Nubin #27 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers competes against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half at Huntington Bank Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 28-14. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 25: Tyler Nubin #27 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers competes against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half at Huntington Bank Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 28-14. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

HEIGHT: 6'1"

WEIGHT: 199

HAND: 9"

ARM: 32"

WINGSPAN: 77½"


40-YARD DASH: TBD

3-CONE: TBD

SHUTTLE: TBD

VERTICAL: TBD

BROAD: TBD


POSITIVES

— Player with great size and length. Has ideal size for an NFL safety.

— Quick run diagnosis and triggers quickly to the run. Not afraid to come down and get involved in the run game.

— Solid tackler who does a good job fronting up and securing tackles. Delivers a blow on contact.

— Uses his hands well and possesses very good strength when taking on blocks. Able to anchor and hold his ground. Controls blockers and is able to quickly disengage.

— Good vision and awareness in the pass game. Has a good feel for routes when playing in underneath coverage.


NEGATIVES

— Shows choppy footwork when deep. Isn't fluid and can be slow transitioning.

— Can be heavy-footed in space. Below-average change of direction in the open field. Limited range when playing from deep and takes time to get going.

— Below-average leverage and angles to the ball. Bad angles can lead to missed tackles as well as misjudging routes and the ball in air.


2023 STATISTICS

— 12 G, 53 TOT, 1.0 TFL, 1.0 SK, 5 INT, 4 PD, 1 FR, 1 FF


NOTES

— Born June 14, 2001

— 4-star recruit in 2019 class, per 247Sports

— 2023 second-team All-American (AP)

— 2023 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (2x)

— 2023 first-team All-Big Ten

— 2022 second-team All-Big Ten

— 2021 All-Big Ten honorable mention

— 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bowl Defensive MVP

— Academic All-Big Ten (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020)


OVERALL

Tyler Nubin was a productive player throughout his time at Minnesota. After appearing in 12 games as a freshman and seven games as a sophomore, he became a full-time starter in 2021.

A physical presence, Nubin excels at playing the run. His physical play style and strength help make him one of the best safeties in the draft.

As a run defender, Nubin is at his best when playing in the box, close to the line of scrimmage. He's a physical defender who identifies the run quickly and immediately reacts to come downhill. He quickly closes the ground between him and ball-carriers, but he can play with bad angles at times. Due to his lack of twitch and change of direction, those poor angles can lead to him overrunning and at times falling off tackles.

When in the box, Nubin does a very good job of using his hands to take on blocks and using his strength to quickly disengage. When tackling, he has the strength to unload on ball-carriers. As a box defender, he isn't afraid to front up ball-carriers and drive his feet through contact for minimal extra yards. He also shows the natural instincts and ability to be used as a blitzer both from the interior and on the edge.

When playing the pass, Nubin has the ability to play as a deep defender in single high coverage and from the split safety look as well. As a deep safety, he has shown choppy footwork in his pedal and limited range from the middle of the field. His best work often comes from the slot and underneath coverage.

When rolled down, Nubin has the strength and size to cover tight ends, but he struggles with movement to stick with slot receivers. When playing from zone, he has good awareness and route recognition. He flows well and is able to get underneath routes of the closest threats. Nubin has above-average ball skills to get his head around and locate the ball while also showing the timing necessary to play through the hands of receivers.

With his size and strength, Nubin is one of the top safeties in this year's draft. Due to some of his shortcomings, he will need to go to a specific scheme where he has the ability to play strong safety and work mostly from the box. He may have a specific role in the run game and special teams at first, but he should be able to be used on all three downs in time.


GRADE: 7.7 (Potential Impact Player — 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 27

POSITION RANK: S1

PRO COMPARISON: Juan Thornhill


Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.

P.J. Fleck Says Allegations of Toxic Culture in Minnesota CFB Program Are 'Baseless'

Jul 27, 2023
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JULY 27: Head coach P.J. Fleck of the Minnesota Golden Gophers speaks at Big Ten football media days at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 27, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JULY 27: Head coach P.J. Fleck of the Minnesota Golden Gophers speaks at Big Ten football media days at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 27, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Minnesota head football coach P.J. Fleck defended his team on Thursday following a report that detailed allegations of mistreatment within the program.

Speaking with ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, Fleck said the "baseless allegations" have "been looked into multiple times since 2017" and no wrongdoing has been found. He added that the claims come from a former Minnesota faculty member who "clearly has a personal vendetta against myself and our football program."

A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports released a report Wednesday detailing allegations made by former players who "described an environment fraught with intimidation and toxicity" under Fleck.

The head coach allegedly created a concept dubbed the "Fleck Bank," which allowed players to earn "coins" for completing community service, getting good grades or reporting on other players.

If a player had accumulated enough "coins," Fleck would allegedly allow players "to get away with positive drug tests, and other violations of team rules," according to Perez.

Fleck acknowledged the "Fleck Bank" during a news conference at Big Ten media day. However, he said it was an analogy and that no coins ever existed or were exchanged, according to Rittenberg.

"There was no currency ever exchanged. There was no coins that ever existed," Fleck said. "It was an analogy simply to explain investment for life, a life lesson of investment, simply that. No one ever got out of any type of punishment for that."

Players also described a cult-like atmosphere within Fleck's program that included intimidation and punishments that included extreme workouts, according to Perez.

Minnesota is the second Big Ten football program to face allegations of mistreatment this offseason, joining Northwestern, who fired head coach Pat Fitzgerald because, as Northwestern president Michael Schill said, he failed "to know and prevent significant hazing in the football program."

Northwestern is now facing numerous lawsuits stemming from alleged hazing incidents.

Report: Minnesota's P.J. Fleck Accused of Toxic Culture by Former CFB Players, Staff

Jul 26, 2023
CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 15: Minnesota football coach P.J. Fleck watches his team play during a college football game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Illinois Fighting Illini, October 15, 2022, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images),
CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 15: Minnesota football coach P.J. Fleck watches his team play during a college football game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Illinois Fighting Illini, October 15, 2022, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images),

After Northwestern fired head coach Pat Fitzgerald amid a hazing scandal, another Big Ten football program could soon face its own reckoning.

Front Office Sports' A.J. Perez spoke with former Minnesota players and staffers who "described an environment fraught with intimidation and toxicity" under head coach P.J. Fleck.

According to Perez, the coach created the "Fleck Bank," a concept in which players got "credits" for things like completing community service and excelling academically. Two players said the "credits" were also handed out when players reported on other teammates.

"You almost wondered who was a rat and who wasn't a rat," one player said to Perez. "You always felt like you had to keep [your] guard up. They told us we could seek help with a mental health counselor, and get some therapy sessions. But our schedules were so busy that it was like, when would you do that?"

Another player said to Perez that Fleck might look past off-field indiscretions such as a positive drug test if a player had built up enough equity in the "Fleck Bank."

In a statement to Perez, Minnesota's athletic department denied the allegations and said the school's drug-testing policy was followed by the letter within the program.

Athletic director Mark Coyle told Perez the concerns players expressed in the report were never communicated to him.

"P.J. and our program are unique," he said. "They put themselves out there in new and different ways—but always in a first-class manner—and after nearly seven years, it is clear to me, that is what makes P.J. and our program so successful.

"I always encourage all of our student-athletes, including every member of our football team, to reach out to me directly if they encounter any issues. To date, I have not heard from a single football student-athlete about the allegations raised."

Perez's report painted the picture of what some called a cult-like atmosphere.

The players were allegedly told they had to clap any time Fleck entered a room and that in one instance he walked through the door multiple times because he wasn't getting sufficient adulation.

Players were also instructed to say they were "elite" when asked how they were doing. Fleck would take umbrage with any other response.

Perez wrote how the anecdotes might look a bit eccentric but harmless on their own. For the players, however, they were collectively "the underpinnings of a culture that fostered mistrust among teammates and a fear of speaking out."

Scandal surrounded the ouster of Fleck's predecessor, Tracy Claeys, in January 2017. Per Perez, people within the program didn't feel comfortable coming forward to detail the allegations during Fleck's tenure out of a belief the athletic department was "hesitant to investigate claims over fears of another scandal."

Fleck is entering his seventh season with the Golden Gophers. The team has a 44-27 record with four bowl appearances under his watch. The high-water mark so far came in 2019, when Minnesota went 11-2 and finished 10th in the Associated Press Top 25 poll after beating Auburn in the Outback Bowl.

Mohamed Ibrahim NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Minnesota RB

Apr 4, 2023
Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) gains yardage against Penn State in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) gains yardage against Penn State in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

HEIGHT: 5'8"

WEIGHT: 203

HAND: 9"

ARM: 28 5/8"

WINGSPAN:


40-YARD DASH: N/A

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: N/A

VERTICAL: N/A

BROAD: N/A


POSITIVES

— Violent, fearless runner. Always excited to get physical and fight for yards.

— Great balance and lower-body strength. Difficult to cut down with low tackles.

— Above-average acceleration. Can get to his second and third gear quickly once he's rolling.

— Manages tight spaces and congested rushing lanes well. Can squeeze through.

— Good pass protector. Smart, active, physical.


NEGATIVES

— Can be stiff in the hips, which slows down his ability to make sharp cuts up the field.

— Below-average explosiveness. Not the type to make many defenders straight up miss.

— Limited long speed. Not necessarily slow, just not a consistent explosive-play threat.

— Rarely asked to catch passes at Minnesota. Difficult to project to the NFL.


2023 STATISTICS

— 12 G, 320 ATT, 1,665 YDS (5.2 AVG) 20 TD; 7 REC, 50 YDS, 0 TD


NOTES

— DOB: September 8, 1998

3-star recruit in 2017 class, per 247Sports' composite rating

— Led Minnesota in rushing in 2018, 2020, and 2022

— 2020 first-team All-Big Ten, 2022 first-team All-Big Ten

— Torn Achilles in 2021, missed all but the opening game


OVERALL

Mohamed Ibrahim is a small, physical back who may already have too much tread on his tires.

Despite his short build, Ibrahim is a tank. He's just over 200 pounds and runs with all of it behind his pads on every play. Ibrahim shows great strength, both in his lower and upper body. He has the lower-body strength to absorb low tackle attempts and keep his legs churning, as well as the upper-body strength to knock defenders out of the way and constantly clear a path to fall forward.

Ibrahim also uses his short build to his advantage in other ways, comfortably maneuvering in tight areas with his legs. He has little issue switching rushing lanes at the last second or squeezing through tight spaces in order to reach the second level.

Ibrahim also brings good acceleration once he gets rolling. His initial burst is lackluster, but once he gets two or three steps in, he starts picking up speed in a hurry and can really fly by the second level of a defense. He doesn't have real home-run speed, but he's got enough to reasonably threaten chunk gains from time to time.

However, Ibrahim isn't the smoothest athlete overall. Ibrahim can be clunky when he needs to stamp his foot in the ground and cut sharply to turn up the field. His hips often appear stiff, which hurts his initial burst once he does change directions. Ibrahim also isn't very explosive or elusive at the second level. He's either running past or through defenders but seldom working around them.

On third down, Ibrahim is a mixed bag. He offers little as a receiver right now. He was rarely asked to be a receiver, catching just 22 passes in five years of play at Minnesota. In pass protection, however, Ibrahim shines. He plays with good eyes, technique, and effort. His size may limit him from being a truly elite pass-protecting back, but he comfortably clears the baseline.

Ibrahim has a lot to like. He's a violent runner with ample balance and acceleration to tear through the second level. His pass-protection skills should also endear him to his pro coaching staff early on. However, Ibrahim's injury history, excessive use in college (867 career carries), and middling athletic profile likely limit him to a career as a rotational player.


GRADE: 6.2 (High-Level Developmental Prospect/Round 5)

OVERALL RANK: 171

POSITION RANK: RB15

PRO COMPARISON: Jaylen Warren


Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

John Michael Schmitz NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Minnesota IOL

Feb 16, 2023
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 28:  Minnesota Golden Gophers offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) lines up during the Guaranteed Rate Bowl college football game between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on December 28, 2021 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Minnesota Golden Gophers offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) lines up during the Guaranteed Rate Bowl college football game between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on December 28, 2021 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

HEIGHT: 6'3.5"

WEIGHT: 301

HAND: 9 1/2"

ARM: 32 5/8"

WINGSPAN: TBD


40-YARD DASH: 5.35

3-CONE: TBD

SHUTTLE: 4.56

VERTICAL: 29.5"

BROAD: 8'8"


POSITIVES

— Good play strength with strong hands to gain control, work inside, create torque and knock defenders off balance to finish.

— Proficient getting run fits and inside of shaded defensive tackles on double-teams and combo blocks, with the leg drive to dig out, overtake and seal off blocks.

— Does a solid job anchoring by fighting to rework his hands, strain and reset himself under rushers' pads to create lift and reduce momentum.

— Uses independent hands in pass protection, including an off-hand flash to bait-and-switch rushers.

— Progressively has improved his processing when uncovered to keep active eyes to sort and pick up the most dangerous man.

— Has a violent, downhill playing style with the intent to finish consistently.

— Had an excellent week of practice in Mobile, Alabama, at the Senior Bowl.


NEGATIVES

— Needs to improve the timing and angles in his releases to the second level on combo blocks to better track, locate and fit on his target. Tends to get overaggressive and backdoored.

— Can be more calculated and precise with his hand placement to avoid being wide and giving defenders access to his frame.

— Film was more consistent in 2021 compared to 2022 in terms of sustaining, staying on his feet and finishing blocks.


2022 STATISTICS

— 12 starts at center


NOTES

— AP First Team All-American

3-star left tackle recruit out of Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Illinois; also lettered in wrestling

— Originally committed to Western Michigan under head coach P.J. Fleck but decommitted and followed Fleck when he was hired at Minnesota

— 35 career starts at center

— Five-time Academic All-Big Ten selection (2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018)

— Accepted an invite to the 2023 Senior Bowl in Mobile


OVERALL

Schmitz is a three-year starter (35 games) at the pivot for offensive line coach and run game coordinator Brian Callahan inside of Minnesota's multiple run scheme.

Schmitz has a compact build with good play strength and a keen understanding of how to negotiate leverage to stay attached to blocks. He is very physical, with the grip strength and leg drive to steer defenders off their spots and tilt and tip them to finish. He is adept in the zone-run game and on duo to fit on double-teams, reach and dig out shades, and cover up and seal on overtakes.

He has noticeably improved his eyes and processing in protection to find the most dangerous man and plug the A-gaps. He has a nice off-hand flash at the snap to bait rushers into throwing their hands early, with independent hands to replace and reset effectively. This helps him work underneath, strain and leverage his hips in his anchor with solid stopping power.

Schmitz needs to shore up his timing and angles on his releases to the second level to better intersect and fit 'backers. He has whiffed too often because of being late or overaggressive on his climbs. His hands can be too heavy and wild on contact, getting too wide and giving easy access to his frame, which can result in quick stalemates or falling off blocks early.

Overall, Schmitz has the play strength, understanding of leverage and mental processing to be a solid starter right away in a multiple run scheme. His grip strength and hard-nosed playing style allow him to steer, displace and finish defenders at a high level. He will bring a tone-setting presence to the pivot but has room to improve his hand placement and angles at the second level to better latch and sustain blocks while on the move.


GRADE: 7.5 (Potential Impact Player/2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 50

POSITION RANK: IOL4

PRO COMPARISON: Ben Jones


Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn